INTERVENTIONS THAT APPLY SCRIPTURE 1
A Review of:
“Interventions that Apply Scripture in Psychotherapy”
Brian Campbell, Ph.D.
Liberty University Online
A Review of:
“Interventions that Apply Scripture in Psychotherapy”
Summary
This article discusses critical issues regarding the use of scriptures in Christian counseling and provides practical examples of how therapists can effectively incorporate scriptures into the counseling process to benefit clients. The author utilizes a hypothetical case study of a 30-year-old man named “George,” for two main purposes: 1. To consider ethical issues with regard to the use of scriptures in counseling, and 2. To provide practical examples of how to incorporate scriptures into specific therapeutic interventions.
With regard to ethical considerations, the author (Garzon, 2005) recommends that counselors should be flexible and consider, from the onset of counseling, whether scriptural interventions are appropriate for all Christian clients. For example, he argues that it is important to assess the client’s unique history and religious upbringing—which he terms, “religio-cultural” assessment—and to refrain from imposing scriptural interventions on the clients who may not be a willing partner to this type of counseling (p. 114). In addition, Garzon (2005) recommends that counselors consider a wide range of “best-practice” factors when assessing whether to use scriptures in counseling, such as: avoiding dual relationships (e.g., religious and professional); informed consent; and, clinical competency (p. 114).
On the topic of intervention strategies, Garzon (2005) utilizes the case of “George” to illustrate how to utilize scriptures to address general emotional and behavioral problems. In addition, the author gives specific examples of how to incorporate scriptures into traditional therapeutic techniques--such as Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive-Therapy (CT)--as well as less traditional approaches to counseling such as “inner healing prayer” (p. 117). Given the variety of ways that scriptures can be integrated into counseling,the author concludes that God’s Word can be a “powerful resource” for Christian counselors.
Reflection
The article by Garzon (2005) captured my attention because I have been utilizing scriptures in counseling for over twenty years. To some extent, I was drawn to the paper because of my personal desire to validate the way I have been counseling people over the past two decades. In addition, I wanted to read the article to see if it was going to be necessary to “defend” what I feel is an essential feature that distinguishes Christian counseling from other traditional psychotherapies—namely, the use of scriptures in counseling.
At first glance, I was looking for scientific evidence to support and validate my strong and heart-felt position concerning the importance of scriptures in counseling. Having originally trained in experimental psychology, I had hoped to find solid empirical research that yielded “hard data” to defend my “cause.” To some extent, I was disappointed to find that Garzon’s (2005) article consisted entirely of a hypothetical case study of a man named “George.” However, as I carefully read the article, I was pleasantly surprised bythe ways that the author used “George” to illustrate how scriptures can be utilized effectively in counseling, while at the same time being sensitive to the client-specific factors—such as George’s unique history,and his religious training and experiences.
After I finished the article and “sat back” to think about it, I wondered whether it would be possible to actually conduct experimental research on the use of scriptures in counseling. I tried to imagine what such research would “look like,” in terms of experimental design and other research-based considerations. After a bit of reflection, I decided that I would do a literature review and see if there is any extant solid scientific research that confirms what I have discovered to be self-evident throughout my Christian counseling career—namely, that the truth, as contained in the scriptures, is a sine qua non for genuineChristian counseling.
Application
Garzon (2015) mentions many different applications of scriptures in counseling. Personally, I conceptualize my use of scriptures in counseling as an adaptation/enhancement of standard Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I chose CBT as the foundation of my Christian counseling, in part, because there is a rich and well-established scientific literature that attests to the efficacy of CBT for treating clinical disorders. For me, adding the “Christian” component to this time-honored therapeutic modality seemed to be a logical, “hand-in-glove” extension of CBT. Let me take a moment to explain.
One of the standard techniques used in CBT is to challenge clients’ irrational beliefs, which are presumed to be the underlying cause of their disorders, and replace them with more rational/adaptive truths. However, the approach of the secular therapist is inherently limited.
The secular therapist is “stuck” with a limited body of “secular truths” as the basis for helping clients to restructure their thinking. In contrast, Christian therapists can utilize the most incredible source of all truth—God’s Holy Scriptures.
I have called my particular “brand” of therapy, “Christian Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy,” or CCBT. In essence, I have simply replaced the secular sources of “truth” in traditional CBT, with God’s Holy Word (the “Christian” element of the acronym CCBT). By doing so, I feel that I have the “best of both worlds.” I can utilize the skills and techniques of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, that have an established “track record” in the scientific world, together with my knowledge of God’s Holy Word—which has an established “track record” in the history of mankind.
Finally, as I look back over my Christian counseling career, I would have been lost without using scriptures in counseling. I would have found it impossible to help my Christian clients without consulting God’s Word. For example, when working with depressed people, who often believe that their situation is hopeless,I can challenge their irrational thoughts with the following biblical truths:
“Anyone who is among the living has hope” (Ecclesiastes 9:4)“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5)
In a similar manner, when helping clients with anxiety, I can help them restructure their thinking by pointing them to the following truths:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (Peter 5:7)“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Although secular psychology does not have the lexicon to describe the process that occurs when Christians are confronted, and changed, by the “power and authority” of biblical truths, Christians easily recognize this process as: “renewing the mind.” Interestingly, there is indisputable evidence that the basis of modern cognitive-behavioral therapy has its origins, not in the clever research and writings of twentieth-century scientists, but in the inspired Word of God:
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” ( Corinthians 10:5)Reference:
Garzon, F. L. (2005). Interventions that apply scripture in psychotherapy. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 33(2), 113-121.